Drew will play Cagney, the "easygoing LAPD detective" who's the protégée of veteran detective Lacey (Hurd). Sharon Gless and Tyne Dal and originated the roles in the series' first run, which lasted from 1981 to 1988.

News of Drew's departure from Grey's, on which she was a series regular for eight seasons (she appeared in nine overall), was originally met with outcry from fans. Jessica Capshaw was also let go from the show.

"We R grateful all of you are so passionate but if you knew these two women the way I know them they would not approve of all this nastiness," Pompeo wrote. "They both are super shiny happy people. I know you're angry but you're (sic) representation couldn't be farther from who these women actually are."